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In Cleveland, hope dies last

Archive for the month “November, 2010”

09 Nov 2010

Jets Week is Finally Here

The NY Jets arrive in town on Sunday, reportedly CBS’ No. 1 announcing team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will also be in town, and there’s lots to go around.

First up is Gary Myers in The New York Daily News, who writes that Browns coach Eric Mangini has no hard feelings about the team that fired him after the 2008 season:

“For me, personally, it’s special to play the Jets,” Mangini said from the Browns offices in Berea, Ohio. “Just like last week it was special to play New England because I was able to take so much from both of those organizations. And in New York, they gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach.

“I was really proud of the things that we did there and I learned a lot and been able to take those lessons here to Cleveland, apply those lessons here to Cleveland, grew a lot as a head coach. I just really appreciate that time, that experience, those people, all those guys that worked hard. It was a really special time in my life, both personally and professionally.”

The Jets players are saying all the right things as well, according to Manish Mehta in The Daily News:

Darrelle Revis insisted there’s no animosity between the Jets and Eric Mangini, but he didn’t exactly praise his former coach, either. Mangini will get his first crack Sunday at the team that fired him two years ago.

“There’s no hatred with us as the New York Jets organization (from) when Mangini was here,” Revis said. “Smart guy. He did all he could … Now he’s in a different place. I’m sure he’s looking forward to this game … I’m sure after the game guys will go talk to him … and see how he’s been.”

The Jets will face a rejuvenated Cleveland defense coached by Rex Ryan’s twin brother, Rob.

“If he’s half of what Rex is,” said center Nick Mangold, “it’s going to be a major pain for 60 minutes.”

And lets not forget it’s Ryan vs. Ryan this week. Oh, did we mention that it is Rex Ryan vs. Rob Ryan as well?

Finally, old friend Braylon Edwards opens mouth, inserts foot, as Fanhouse’s Pat McManamon shares:

“I remember the comments,” Edwards told (New York’s) Newsday. “I remember the writers, I remember the fans, I remember the coaches, I remember the people in the organization. I remember everything and everybody there that had something to say when 17 exited the doors. … I left there with a bitter taste in my mouth, and I’m going back there for some satisfaction. They can see it for how they want it. They can read it for how they want it. Just know that 17’s coming to work when we play next week.”

It’s been a wacky, unpredictable and enjoyable Browns season through the first eight games of the season. Something tells us that Sunday’s game versus the Jets might top anything we’ve seen so far this year.

Posted in Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, NFL, Rex Ryan, Rob Ryan | Leave a comment
08 Nov 2010

Final Thoughts on the Browns-Patriots

A day later and we’re still enjoying Sunday’s exhibition of Browns football.

“This is how I envision Browns football,” coach Eric Mangini told The Plain Dealer. “First, you learn how to compete. Then you learn how to win. Then you learn how to win consistently. It’s great to see the guys rewarded with victories.”

Mangini was including the coaches when he talked about “the guys” being rewarded with wins. It’s not just the players, the coaches have been putting in the effort all season long to figure out how to get the best of this team and this week it paid off as both sides of the ball performed well.

“This is a lot more fun talking today than it was before,” Mangini told The PD on Monday. “I feel the best for the guys collectively and the coaches collectively because they work. I know I say it a lot, but they work hard, and they care and it means something and it hurts when we lose. Playing in Cleveland means something. The city means something. Being in front of our fans means something, and you want to see them be rewarded for that. You want to reward the fans for their loyalty. You want to be able to give those groups what they deserve. And that’s important.”

The Browns are also starting to get some respect from the national media:

“The last two weeks have convinced me of a few things,” Peter King wrote in his Monday Morning Quarterback column. “One: It would be a mistake to fire the imaginative Mangini and his hungry staff unless the bottom falls out on this team in the next two months. … Two: The Browns aren’t far away from competing every week in their division. Three: Colt McCoy is afraid of nothing, and I think it’s unlikely the Browns will have to spend their first-round draft choice on a quarterback in 2011.

“Belichick’s first-place Patriots were humiliated, 34-14, by the 2-5 Cleveland Browns,” wrote Dan Shaughnessy in The Boston Globe. “On the same acreage where Belichick failed in his first stint as a head coach — in a chess match against the apprentice who turned on him (‘I know it was you, Fredo, you broke my heart’) — Belichick’s team was exposed. The Patriots looked ill-equipped and ill-prepared. They were outplayed in the city where Belichick always will have something to prove. And they were outcoached by Fredo Mangini, a man Belichick despises more than anyone else in football.”

“When Jets head coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer examine the Browns’ game film, they’ll notice how many problems (the Browns defense) gave one of the savviest quarterbacks in NFL history,” wrote Tim Graham on ESPN.com. “ESPN Stats & Information charted Cleveland’s amoeba defense, an unusual scheme described as ‘at least five defensive players in the box with one or fewer down linemen.’ It’s difficult for a quarterback to read at the line, creates pass-protection confusion for linemen and clogs passing lanes. The results were persuasive, according to ESPN Stats & Information’s data. Patriots passing versus the amoeba: 3-of-13 for 51 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception and an 11.4 passer rating.”

And as we pointed out yesterday, Colt McCoy is making it very difficult for the coaching staff to go back to Jake Delhomme or Seneca Wallace once they get healthy.

While the coaching staff needs to base the decision on who gives the team the best chance to win, it seems unlikely they will turn to Wallace if he’s healthy, at least this week. With the team playing at home, inserting Wallace in at quarterback would be setting him up for an almost no-win situation – the first mistake and the fans will be on him and calling for McCoy.

But that’s a decision for another day. For now we rejoice in a two-game winning streak and, while the talk of a playoff run is rather premature, things are good again this week in Brownstown.

***

Here’s a look around the web at what everyone else is saying:

The Colt Report: Week Three – Waiting for Next Year

Man, That Was Fun – Waiting for Next Year

Browns Pound Pats – Cleveland Frowns

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Colt McCoy, NFL, winning streaks | Leave a comment
08 Nov 2010

Browns release the poison on Patriots

The Browns dominated the Patriots on Sunday and in the process earned what is surely the defining victory of the Eric Mangini era and the final bit of proof for anyone who doubted this team and refused to see the progress it has made.

And in the process maybe, just maybe, the Browns have finally found a quarterback.

Unlike last year’s last-season win against Pittsburgh (aka the most over-rated win in franchise history), Sunday’s win came against a team riding a five-game winning streak and with the best record in the NFL.

The Browns rolled up 404 yards of offense, with 230 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns. They controlled the ball for 38 minutes behind 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns by Peyton Hillis. The offensive line had another solid day, and the right side has settled down since Billy Yates has taken over at right guard and Floyd Womack at right tackle.

For the second game in a row the team pulled out the trick plays, this time a handoff to Chansi Stuckey out of the Wildcat that resulted in Stuckey’s 11-yard touchdown run.

The defense held the Patriots to half their season total in points and, for the second week in a row, more than held its own against a top-flight quarterback. The Browns held the Patriots to just seven points through three quarters and when McCoy ran the ball in from 16 yards to give the Browns a 24-7 lead with about five minutes to go in the third quarter, the game was essentially over.

It was probably the first time both sides of the ball played well in the same game and made it truly a team win.

As for McCoy, he’s making it very difficult for the coaches to stick to The Plan once Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme are healthy.

McCoy had no interceptions for the second consecutive week, completed 73 percent of his passes on the day and once again avoided making any stupid plays that could have hurt the Browns.

You can see him getting better and more comfortable each week as he gets more practice time with the first team. And when you factor in that no rookie quarterback in the history of the NFL has made his first three starts against teams of the level of Pittsburgh, New Orleans and New England, it’s slowly starting to look as if the Browns have finally found their quarterback.

As sure as the Browns have made true progress this season – they are now 7-5 in their last 12 games after going 1-11 in the previous 12 – it would be foolish to argue or try to downplay that McCoy has not made progress in the past three games.

Bring on the Jets!

***

If a big Browns win wasn’t enough to make it an extra-special day, Liverpool took it to top-of-the-table Chelsea, notching a 2-0 win over the defending champs behind Fernando Torres’ two goals.

Liverpool’s worst start to a season in more than 50 years had the Reds in the relegation zone last month, but three straight wins have lifted the 18-time champions to ninth. They are in a five-team group with Tottenham Hotspur – who were shocked over the weekend by Bolton – and only two points behind fifth-place Newcastle.

***

Finally, we are only a Pittsburgh cover against the always overrated Cincinnati Bengals Monday night to nail a perfect week in the 2010 Cheddar Bay Invitational at Cleveland Frowns and continue to close the gap on leader jimkanicki.

Posted in Cheddar Bay, Cleveland Browns, Colt McCoy, defining victory, Fernando Torres, Liverpool | Leave a comment
07 Nov 2010

Browns vs. Patriots – Week 9

The Browns are back home, back from the bye and back to work today against a New England that may not be as strong as it’s NFL-best 6-1 record indicates.

The Opposition

New England: 6-1
Offensive rank: 24th overall/19th passing/16th rushing
Defensive rank: 25th overall/29th passing/9th rushing
All-time record: Browns lead 12-9 (including playoffs), with a 7-4 mark at home
The line: Browns +4

What to Watch For

The Browns entered the bye week off a big defensive effort to beat the Saints. On the surface, today’s game against the Patriots, who have the best record in the NFL, appears to be just as daunting.

But looking at the numbers a little closer reveals the possibility for a far brighter outcome for the Browns.

Of the Patriots six wins, four have come against teams with losing records (Cincy, Buffalo, San Diego and Minnesota). So they haven’t been hardened by the same tough schedule the Browns have faced.

The one thing the Patriots do is score points as they lead the league with 29.3 points per game. Even without Randy Moss, the Patriots receivers will be a challenge for Browns secondary that is still finding its way.

If the Browns can’t slow New England’s offense it’s hard to see them putting enough points on the board, especially with Colt McCoy getting the start at quarterback.

But there are holes in the New England defense the Browns can exploit. The Patriots are weak on pass defense and are expected to be without starting strong safety Patrick Chung. The Browns should be able to exploit that with tight end Benjamin Watson.

Also, Peyton Hillis should be healthy after the bye week and if the Browns can get the running game going behind him, and control the ball with short passing to the tight ends, they can keep the game close. Josh Cribbs should be fully recovered from the illegal head shot he took against Pittsburgh; this could be the week he finally breaks through on special teams.

The Best Browns vs. Patriots Game I’ve Seen

The 1977 game that Don Cockroft won with a field goal in overtime – the first OT game in Browns history. This one is a little bit of a cheat because I didn’t actually see the game as, even though it was on Monday Night Football, the game was blacked out locally. But I did listen to it on the radio so that counts. Here’s the PD’s game story; love the reference to Greg Pruitt going through tear-away jerseys.

The Prediction

We can certainly see how the Browns can win this game, but a lot has to go right for it to happen.

Playing at home in his third start should be a plus for McCoy and while the Patriots will throw a lot at him defensively, it should not be anything worse than what he saw against Pittsburgh or New Orleans.

While we want to say the Browns will pull off a second consecutive surprising win, the talent gap just seems to wide and it’s not reasonable to expect two defensive touchdowns again this week.

The Browns will keep the game close, but expect the Pats to cover with a late score.

Record picking the Browns: 1-5-1

Posted in Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, NFL, Week 9 | Leave a comment
05 Nov 2010

I Want My College Football

As we pointed out a few weeks ago, the programmers at ABC/ESPN don’t get it; just because we are in Northeast Ohio doesn’t make everyone Big Ten fans and we certainly don’t want to watch a Big Ten game when there are games of national importance being player.

It’s going to get a lot worse on Saturday.

No. 1 Oregon plays Washington and No. 3 TCU plays No. 5 Utah.

Is either game on in NE Ohio? Of course not.

Instead we get horse racing on ESPN and Northwestern vs. Penn State on ABC.

Just great.

Posted in Big Ten overload, clueless programming choices | Leave a comment
05 Nov 2010

Week 9 Picks

Things are getting hot in the in the 2010 Cheddar Bay Invitational over at Cleveland Frowns. Even a five-point effort last week wasn’t enough as jimkanicki continued a roll that has seen him go 11-1 against the spread the last three weeks.

He missed the Virgina Tech game already this week, so now that we have him on the ropes it’s time to work the body and cut into the 6.5-point deficit:

Boise State (-21) vs. Hawaii

Oregon (-35.5) vs. Washington

NY Giants (-7) vs. Seattle

Money pick: Pittsburgh (-4.5) vs. Cincinnati

Posted in Cheddar Bay, NFL, point spreads | Leave a comment
05 Nov 2010

Captain Fantastic Does it Again

Not only did Steven Gerrard save Liverpool’s Europa League title hopes with a hat trick Thursday against Napoli, he may have also saved the Reds season and the job of manager Roy Hodgson, who was understandably excited about the win.

The 3-1 win puts Liverpool on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages and should be the spark the team needs heading into its Sunday showdown with top-of-the-table Chelsea.

After a rough (to put it mildly) start to the season that saw the Reds sitting in the relegation zone, a bitter battle over the sale of the club and assorted injuries, Liverpool has pulled to within 5 points of fourth place and a return to the Champions League next season.

It won’t be easy, but if they can come away from Anfield on Sunday with a point (or points) off Chelsea there is still plenty of season left (we’re not even to Boxing Day yet) to get things turned around.

Thursday night against Napoli was a good start. Now lets see if the team can carry that over to Sunday.

Posted in Europa League, Liverpool, Steven Gerrard | Leave a comment
04 Nov 2010
1 Comment

Colt’s Extended Engagement

With Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace both sitting out practice Wednesday while recovering from ankle injuries, it looks like rookie Colt McCoy will make his third consecutive start – and home debut – at quarterback Sunday against New England.

If McCoy does get the starting nod, his first three games will have come against Pittsburgh (5-2), New Orleans (5-3) and New England (6-1). You would be hard pressed to find a tougher three game stretch to start a career for a rookie quarterback in league history.

For example:

  • Peyton Manning’s first three starts in 1999 came against Buffalo (who finished 11-5 on the year), New England (8-8) and San Diego (8-8)
  • Tom Brady’s first NFL starts game against Indianapolis (6-10), Miami (11-5) and San Diego (5-11)
  • Brett Favre’s first three NFL starts were against the Duluth Eskimos, Canton Bulldogs and Decatur Staleys

Welcome to the NFL kid.

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Colt McCoy, NFL
02 Nov 2010
2 Comments

The Big Man Speaks

Browns team president Mike Holmgren met with the media today about the team’s season so far and worked to clear up a few important questions.

On the season so far:

“There are some really good things happening and I’m not trying to paint a pretty picture. I think we’re improved over last year and brought in some players that are making some huge contributions. Ultimately, how many games can we win? I was very encouraged by our last win over New Orleans and now, we have to build on that and move forward.”

On whether or not he wants to coach again:

“No, I’m doing OK. Does it sound like I want to coach? The challenge of this is really something for me and I’m enjoying the challenge, but I’d be less than honest if I didn’t say I get fired up watching the games. But I also recognize what I was hired to do. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”

On the future of coach Eric Mangini:

“Wins and losses is not the only criteria. The crummy part of our business is most of the time it’s the main one. The most encouraging thing is we’ve been in most of the games. And we had chances to win the game. It’s also the most discouraging thing because we lost the games.”

Holmgren did make a point to say no decision would be made until after the season.

On the Browns wide receivers:

“Let’s not jump on the receivers too much here. I think they’re better than OK. I think they’re pretty good. It’s just that their numbers haven’t been very good.”

He did say that some of the blame for the poor performance rests on offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s play calling.

And the big one: the quarterback situation:

“As a youngster, (Colt McCoy) probably couldn’t go into two more difficult environments. What I learned from that game is the game itself isn’t too big for him. He handled himself well, made some throws and instilled some confidence in his teammates. It’s not like he had a wealth of experience going into that game.

“I told him, ‘Anybody can come in and play a good football game, so let’s put another one together. While we didn’t throw the ball around that much, I thought he played a really solid football game. I’m looking for how he handles the game. I told him I was proud of him and that he can build on it.”

Just as he did with the question about Mangini, Holmgren preached patience when it comes to making a decision on McCoy as the full-time starter, pointing out it is a moot point as long as Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are both still injured.

Holmgren shed some light on the decision making that will go into the decision:

“The obvious thing is: If you play a young quarterback, does he give you the best chance to win? Or are you doing it just for the future? That’s kind of crummy, if you’re doing it just for the future. You want to win every game. So that’s the discussion that will take place.”

Add this all up and you get a clear sense of why the current structure of Holmgren as president, Tom Heckert as GM and Mangini as coach has a chance to work out.

You have Holmgren speaking about the team in big picture terms, leaving Heckert and Mangini to do the jobs they were hired to do. Too often last year Mangini was pulled away from preparing the team for the next day to deal with the on-going circus in Berea (some of it was his own doing, but some wasn’t).

While everyone – from the owner down to the fans – would like to see the team’s record be better than 2-5, reading what Holmgren had to say today is a clear indication – along with the improved play on the field this season – that the team is moving in the right direction.

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Colt McCoy, Mike Holmgren, NFL
01 Nov 2010

Still interested Browns fans?

Two players that some fans wanted the Browns to pursue – Donovan McNabb and Randy Moss – were in the news today for less than stellar reasons.

McNabb – who was dumped on the Redskins because no one else was dumb enough to take him off Philly’s hands – was benched near the end of the game Sunday for Rex Grossman because McNabb apparently is out of shape:

(Redskins coach Mike) Shanahan on Monday said McNabb has been struggling with hamstring injuries for five weeks and didn’t have the “cardiovascular endurance” to stay on the field with the game on the line against Detroit. Shanahan said he even considered not playing McNabb at all against the Lions.

And SI’s Peter King had more, saying that:

“McNabb turns 34 this month. His contract is up at the end of the year. All along, we viewed the long-term deal of McNabb in Washington as a formality, to provide the fitting coronation to the Easter-night trade from the Eagles to the Redskins. Not so fast. Do the Redskins want to pay a flawed player — and how else would you look at McNabb after Sunday’s yanking — $15 million a year to be their quarterback for the next four years? And does McNabb want to remain in Washington for a second season after getting blindsided with the game on the line in Detroit?”

So the Redskins are stuck for the rest of the season with an out-of-shape, 34-year-old quarterback. More reason to believe that we were right in April when we said the Browns made the right call on not acquiring McNabb.

***

With the calls over the past few months for the Browns to acquire a “veteran” receiver, some fans wondered why the Browns didn’t pursue Randy Moss when the Patriots traded him to Minnesota a month ago.

We got our answer Monday when the Viking waived Moss after only four games, 13 receptions and two touchdowns. Following the Vikings loss on Sunday, Moss ripped the team for its performance and openly longed for his days with the Patriots.

Here’s what we said at the time of the trade:

Very glad the Browns apparently were not involved in the talks to acquire Randy Moss from the Patriots. While the team does need a major upgrade at wide receiver, it’s hard to see how someone like Moss, while talented, would have fit in with the culture that Eric Mangini is trying to build in the locker room and on the field.

Nothing that has happened in the past month has done anything to change our mind. It’s impossible to see how Moss would have fit in with the culture the Browns are building. And if he’s not happy playing with Tom Brady and Brett Favre, how would he react playing with Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace or Colt McCoy?

***

Continuing with the no surprise theme, Sunday night’s NFL game between New Orleans and Pittsburgh beat Game 4 of the World Series in the TV ratings: 11.8 to 10.4.

The news was even worse on Saturday, when college football destroyed Game 3, which ended up being the second-lowest rated game in World Series history.

It’s a football world; baseball just lives in it.

***

Speaking of the Sunday night game, guess the Steelers should have followed the Browns game plan against New Orleans last night, huh? The Saints proved that if you hit back against them, the Steelers will fold – just look at the goal line stand as evidence.

And a week after the Browns thoroughly bamboozled Drew Brees, the Saints quarterback completed 20-of-22 passes in the second half with two touchdowns against the Steelers.

Not a bad night’s work.

***

Is Anderson Varajeo looking to get out of town? Waiting for Next Year

Ready for a quarterback derby in Cleveland? Cleveland Frowns

Until next time.

Posted in Cleveland Browns, Donovan McNabb, MLB, NFL, Randy Moss, TV ratings | Leave a comment

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